Summary

The author struggles with capturing fleeting moments of writing inspiration, often losing the perfect words before they can be recorded.

Abstract

The author expresses a deep desire to excel as a writer but faces the significant challenge of losing the "glorious words" that come to mind during moments of inspiration. These moments often occur while engaged in unrelated activities, such as walking the dog or exercising, and the author's attempts to remember the words are frequently thwarted by everyday interruptions. Despite using methods like carrying a notebook or writing on the hand, the author finds these solutions inadequate. The frustration is compounded by the inability to recreate the initial magic of the lost words when finally sitting down to write. The author sometimes manages to recall fragments, but these do not evoke the same feeling as the original thoughts. This struggle leads to either producing a lackluster piece or abandoning the draft altogether. The author seeks solutions, considering the use of a recording device, and looks to the Medium community for advice.

Opinions

The author believes that the right words are elusive and can vanish if not captured immediately.
There is a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with the inability to retain and later recall the perfect phrasing or ideas.
The author values the emotional connection with the words and is disheartened when the rediscovered words lack the initial spark.
The author finds some solace and inspiration in reading the work of others on Medium.
The author is open to trying new methods, such as using a recording device, to better capture inspirational thoughts.
The author is reaching out to the community for suggestions, indicating a willingness to learn and improve their writing process.

The Biggest Challenge I Have Faced Writing On Medium So Far

My words vanish

I want to be a writer — a good writer. I am not, and sometimes I struggle to find my words, the right words.

It is not like I never have them; sometimes, I have glorious words, and then they disappear. Where the heck did they go?

Ideas for stories come and go, and I let them simmer. I know I am not ready to write them, not yet.

So, I walk away, go outside and walk the dog, or jump on the treadmill.

The words start swirling around in my brain, and I let them spin. Some words do not work, and I push them away but do not let go of them; I keep them tucked away just in case.

Other words will feel right, and I play with them, putting them in order and rearranging them. I might create a Tanka poem in my head or the first sentence or paragraph for a story.

But remember, I am walking on the treadmill or outside walking the dog.

Will I remember the words, the cadence of them? I tell myself I will and then, of course, I do not.

When I am finished with whatever I was doing, I intended to write the words down somewhere, but that does not happen.

The telephone is ringing, my husband starts talking to me, or I have to go to the bathroom. You know, all the typical interruptions.

When I finally have an opportunity, what happens? I have forgotten the words.

I remember the way they felt, almost like I could touch them, but now they have vanished. I sit at my computer and stare at a blank screen and I play around with a title — I should be able to create the title at least, right? Wrong!

Once in a while, the words may reappear — not all of them, just one or two. Yes, okay, fantastic. No, it is not. They no longer feel right, they are only part of what I wrote in my mind, and there is no magic in them. The few words never mix with the others I have forgotten.

How do I fix this problem? What can I do? Come on, words, give me a break, would you please!

I take a break, and I read beautiful and enchanting words written by others. I get lost in those words. Medium is full of them.

Sometimes that helps, and another idea will pop into my head. I smile, and I start to write.

The real magic happens if those elusive lost words begin to flow.

Many times it does not happen that way. The original words and the remarkable feeling they fed me and that I loved have vanished.

Two things may happen. I may continue writing and produce an okay story, but there is no magic. I will submit it to a publication, and they will accept it, but I will never be satisfied.

Or, I will stop writing and walk away leaving the story to sit in drafts and languish there.

I may take it out and look at it later hoping that someday I will have inspiration and the words will trickle out of my clogged-up brain. That doesn’t happen often.

I have read other writers on what to do when your brain goes wacko and forgets. I always try to have a notebook close by and a pen. I have gone to bed and then gotten back up so I can write down a random thought or some particular nuance. That does help.

I have even written on my hand. Was that helpful? Not so much.

The best suggestion I have seen is a recording device, and I will invest in one of those in the hope that it consumes all the glorious magical words and ideas and saves me from this conundrum I find myself in.

Any suggestions?